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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 1 Hansard (21 February) . . Page.. 149 ..

MR BERRY (continuing):

Let me repeat the list of the things that are in the minds of health workers out there: Intimidation and threatening of staff. You have to stop that in the course of an industrial dispute; it does not get you anywhere. Attempting to reduce the hours of casual employees. You have to stop that in the course of an industrial dispute. Moving employees unilaterally from one work area to another. On the face of it, people will say, "Well, bosses have the right to move people around". Yes, but there are - - -

Mr De Domenico: It helps to look after patients.

MR BERRY: No, moving employees from one place to another, from one work area to another. But there are custom and practice issues that you have to follow in management. Threatening payroll deductions, which we have dealt with at length. Calling them stupid, heartless and irresponsible. I would suggest that you apologise for that; that would make a good start. Making unfounded claims. I do not think she is big enough to apologise. She will not climb down off the high horse. She is going to have to be dragged down, like this motion is going to do. Making unfounded claims that members were threatening the lives of the public. Wasting time in the Industrial - - -

Mr Humphries: Here is the man who has never apologised for VITAB saying that someone should apologise. Are you apologising for VITAB? It cost us $3.3m, Mr Berry.

MR BERRY: It is an old cracked record, Mr Humphries, and it is going nowhere. Wasting time in the Industrial Relations Commission trying to justify the untrue claims. There are a few things there about which you could hop down off the high horse and make a few statements which are friendly statements rather than the antagonistic ones that you have been making to this point.

Mrs Carnell, you have been a complete flop in this industrial campaign. The people of the ACT know it. The arrogance has shown through. I have to say that the doublespeak has shown through as well; the honeyed words no longer work. It is time to face the reality of industrial relations management. You have to climb down; you have to cast aside your problems on the ego side; you have to deal with the unions and sort this problem out, otherwise it will keep coming back to haunt you. I welcome members' support for this motion.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Motion (by Mr Humphries) agreed to:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.